Thoughts on the Vox AC15CC?

[trancedental]

I've read that the Vibrato & Reverb is SS but not directly in the signal path which is all tube That was an interview with the designer in an English Guitar mag about the AC30 CC.

[stephena]

When shopping for amplifiers, the AC15CC1 was on my short list (along with the AD100VT and the Line 6 Spider III 120), but in an A/B test, it just didn't hold up (to my ears) with the AC30CC2. That's the one I ended up buying this past Saturday, and it sounds great with my Gretsch Tennessean and my Rickenbacker twelve-strings (a 620/12 and a 360/12). I don't have a JangleBox, but I do use a lot of compression. I even took the 360/12 with me to the store when I tried out different amps.

I will report back after Wednesday's rehearsal and Thursday's gig.

[rick32559]

Chinese Vox amps: Blasphemy

[janglerocker]

Has anybody done a tube upgrade on a AC15CC? I've heard the AC15TBX is a better candidate for upgrading than the AC15CC. I'm definitely getting a AC15 but I am a newbie in the tube amp market and will be doing much research before buying.

[paologregorio]

"Chinese Vox amps: Blasphemy"-Frederick Dee

I disagree completely. I have an old one and a new one. My CC2X is a wonderful amp; I think the only reason I play my old one is because of it's Grey fawn tolex skin!

-I don't like the Chinese preamp tubes that come with the new Vox amps. they go microphonic, or just plain bad far too soon for my taste. I switched them out for some Groove tubes and my CC2X is now very quiet!

Back to your question Jere: I don't have an AC15CC, but fellow forumite has both the AC30CC and an AC15 CC, and he's stated more than once that he prefers the AC15, so that should be a pretty solid endorsement.

The reverb on the CC series amps is different from Fender. It's tough to dial in to get that classic reverb sound we're all used to getting out of a Fender amp or Fender reverb unit, but it can be done. It can get a very wet or "boingy" sound if driven too far. There are two knobs and a hi/low drive switch. I usually turn the amp reverb off and use my Van Amps "Sole Mate" spring reverb unit, which i solid state, but I do this so I can avoid plugging in the footswitch and laying down the FS cable when using the CC2x. I bought the Sole mate so I wouldn't have to lug around my Fender reverb unit when I was using my fawn tolex AC 30.

[VRICKY63]

My wife has been playing through an AC15 for about a year now . No problems and sounds great with her Les Paul , Gretsch Setzer , and RIC 330.

[octagon]

I bought one last Monday at Guitar Center.I went there to look for a Pathfinder 15R but they didn't have any so I tried the AC15CC1 and Wow!It sounded great.Seemed like the perfect amp to with 330.I don't know why I never tried one before.I guess I was always hoping to find an older one but I think think the features on this one like the Master Volume actually work better for me.It makes a great bedroom amp! Do you think it is worth buying an extended warranty on a Vox AC15CC1?I don't usually buy an extended warranty on anything but I remember reading about some people having some problems with Vox amps MIC(Mostly the AC30CC1 I think).Anyway I got a discount at GC that paid for the extended warranty but still,I guess I could cancel it within thirty days(I think).What do you guys think?Also If I were to change the speaker,would that void my warranty?Not that I am going but the new Celestron Blue clones just came out




Bring in the Clones!

[junglejem]

On the constant quest for tone and toys, I sold my AC15CC1 about 6 months ago, having fallen in love with the clean tone I got through my Phil Jones Bass Briefcase/Janglebox rig. However, I subsequently bought an anniversary Stratocaster, and needed a different amp. So back to shopping. Weeks on the 'net, research, trial & error (I went through a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and a Fender Deluxe Reverb), I ended up with....a new Vox AC15CC. This time with the upgraded Celestion speaker. The master volume is crucial, at least for me (the Deluxe Reverb is a gorgeous sounding amp, but I was not able to push it enough to get the tubes singing; much too loud at 22 watts without a master). To my ear, the Celestions are a major improvement in tone, perhaps a bit more chime, less harsh sounding. Bought mine through North Coast Music, and I have no real concerns about quality/reliability...although I don't "gig" per se, only weekends at Church and at home.

I had forgotten what a perfect match the Rick 330/12-Janglebox-Vox AC15 was, until I fired up the new Vox and launched into Bells of Rhymney. The Strat is primarily a blues/surf toy, and while it may be blasphemy, I'm happier with the Vox tone than anything I got with the Fenders.

Obviously this whole game is totally subjective, and limited somewhat by financial constraints....my shopping didn't allow me to explore Dr. Z, Matchless, Bogner, Victoria, Bad Cat, Carr, etc. But for my less-than-a-grand (barely) budget, the AC15CCX is perfect.

[steve_hershberger]

It's been some time since I've been here, but I'm glad this thread still exists. Love the updates (since starting in '06!!), and this will be mine...

Sometime early last year, a friend and I tried out an AC15CC for about an hour. Didn't like it at first, but after messing with the knobs for a while (we're used to Fender amps), we decided it sounded pretty good. REAL good, in fact. But, like I thought before, we found out it probably wouldn't be loud enough in the clean headroom department so I didn't buy it at the time, opting to wait for an AC30CC.

After months of mental debating (AC30CC?, various Dr. Z's?, etc.) I just happened to look on the local Craig's List and saw a mint/recent AC30CC Head for $650 and I snapped it up. Then I was on a quest for a speaker cab - and went nuts with all *those* options... Vox?, Avatar?, something from North Coast?, etc. Ended up getting the cheapest Vox cabinet with the Wharfdales - just to have speakers that I can use now and maybe swap out for Blues (or whatever) later on.

I LOVE this amp!!! Although I'm sure I'd prefer the tone of the Blues or something else alnico, there's nothing wrong with how the Wharfs sound at all. Good in a "different" way. So I've kept them so far. Whenever I can give them a real workout will be the main test. Since I live in an apartment, that kind of jam level playing opportunity doesn't happen too often. However, it'll make its public debut at a jam next weekend, so I can't wait for that.

Anyway, Mitch - your video clip sounds GREAT! Those Warehouse speakers are on my "list" as possible replacements too. So are Eminence Red Fangs (first choice) and Celestion Blues or Golds. Naturally, I'd like to save some major dollars in terms of a speaker swap, but I want to give the Wharfs a workout before I decide on that. We'll see...

One thing I DO know - I'm so glad I got this Vox amp just because I've always wanted one, and the tones are unique. I'm keeping all my Fender amps too, but this one is definitely my new fave now. Just because it's "different."

I'd be interested to know what tubes came in all you guys' new AC15CCs. From what I've read, that's one way to tell if you got a "new" or "older" (troublesome) version. I've got Tung Sol 12AX7's in the V-1 and V-3 positions (V-2 is an unmarked 12AX7 - Chinese, I guess), and the EL-84s are EH's. The rectifier is a Sovtek. Also, from what I've read, that Sovtek is the only weak point in these latter day CCs. I'm using it as-is for now, but I'm looking for some NOS EL-84s and have some Mullards to put into the preamp and rectifier sections whenever I get around to doing it.

Edited to mention: I never go for extended warranties either. But I guess it depends on how much extra it costs and how long it lasts too. Basically, if anything is going to fail, it'll probably happen during those first 30-45 days (your return period) anyway. But make sure you put the amp through its paces during that time - punish it, I mean! If it gets though that, then I'm sure the extended warranty would just be a waste of money. Not sure how the changed speaker would affect that, but if the amp blows up you could always put the original back in before returning it.

[octagon]

It's been some time since I've been here, but I'm glad this thread still exists. Love the updates (since starting in '06!!), and this will be mine...

Sometime early last year, a friend and I tried out an AC15CC for about an hour. Didn't like it at first, but after messing with the knobs for a while (we're used to Fender amps), we decided it sounded pretty good. REAL good, in fact. But, like I thought before, we found out it probably wouldn't be loud enough in the clean headroom department so I didn't buy it at the time, opting to wait for an AC30CC.

After months of mental debating (AC30CC?, various Dr. Z's?, etc.) I just happened to look on the local Craig's List and saw a mint/recent AC30CC Head for $650 and I snapped it up. Then I was on a quest for a speaker cab - and went nuts with all *those* options... Vox?, Avatar?, something from North Coast?, etc. Ended up getting the cheapest Vox cabinet with the Wharfdales - just to have speakers that I can use now and maybe swap out for Blues (or whatever) later on.

I LOVE this amp!!! Although I'm sure I'd prefer the tone of the Blues or something else alnico, there's nothing wrong with how the Wharfs sound at all. Good in a "different" way. So I've kept them so far. Whenever I can give them a real workout will be the main test. Since I live in an apartment, that kind of jam level playing opportunity doesn't happen too often. However, it'll make its public debut at a jam next weekend, so I can't wait for that.

Anyway, Mitch - your video clip sounds GREAT! Those Warehouse speakers are on my "list" as possible replacements too. So are Eminence Red Fangs (first choice) and Celestion Blues or Golds. Naturally, I'd like to save some major dollars in terms of a speaker swap, but I want to give the Wharfs a workout before I decide on that. We'll see...

One thing I DO know - I'm so glad I got this Vox amp just because I've always wanted one, and the tones are unique. I'm keeping all my Fender amps too, but this one is definitely my new fave now. Just because it's "different."

I'd be interested to know what tubes came in all you guys' new AC15CCs. From what I've read, that's one way to tell if you got a "new" or "older" (troublesome) version. I've got Tung Sol 12AX7's in the V-1 and V-3 positions (V-2 is an unmarked 12AX7 - Chinese, I guess), and the EL-84s are EH's. The rectifier is a Sovtek. Also, from what I've read, that Sovtek is the only weak point in these latter day CCs. I'm using it as-is for now, but I'm looking for some NOS EL-84s and have some Mullards to put into the preamp and rectifier sections whenever I get around to doing it.

Edited to mention: I never go for extended warranties either. But I guess it depends on how much extra it costs and how long it lasts too. Basically, if anything is going to fail, it'll probably happen during those first 30-45 days (your return period) anyway. But make sure you put the amp through its paces during that time - punish it, I mean! If it gets though that, then I'm sure the extended warranty would just be a waste of money. Not sure how the changed speaker would affect that, but if the amp blows up you could always put the original back in before returning it.

Thanks Steve.Maybe I will go back to Guitar Center and cancel the extended warranty.

[steve_hershberger]

Well, how much extra did the extended warranty cost and how long does it last? It might be worth having.

This is always one of those "you never know what might happen" kind of things. I tend to have confidence in new items (even these new Vox amps), but there's always those stories like "it was running great, and then the day after the factory warranty ran out..."

I just really hate it when you're spending a lot of money already just to buy the thing, then the store wants you to spend even more on it... I just always take my chances.

[octagon]

Thanks Steve,well the warranty is $80,for 2 years.The thing is,If It breaks I have to send it UPS(that is covered) somwhere and wait for them to ship it back.If I could just bring it back to Guitar Center it would be better.I think I just my cancel it and if I have trouble after the vox warranty ends,I'll just get it fixed locally.